Do you carry a multitool in the woods?

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

gra_farmer

Full Member
Mar 29, 2016
1,800
1,019
Kent
Perhaps a Swiss tool would impress me, but I have been very unimpressed by the design and finish of Leatherman tools compared to those on my SAK.
The Swiss tool has better polish than the leatherman tools, and very strong. But from my experience, if you not a fan of leatherman then I wouldn't bother.

For me, I only have one victorinox multi tool, but with all victorinox I am happily reassured that if anything goes wrong, it will be either fixed or replaced quickly...i know that leatherman has the 25 year warranty, but the SwissTool has a forever warranty.

Compared between the two brands, the main benefit of the leatherman tools is the access speed and the pointy knife blades.

standard SAK or multi tools, both serve the same purpose....lots of useful tools in a compact design
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,390
640
50
Wales
There was a model of SwissTool Spirit released last year, that has one hand opening knife blade, and a specialised blade for cord/webbing.
Speculation is that it was a custom order for some unit, as cames in both stainless and black.
 

Oliver G

Full Member
Sep 15, 2012
392
286
Ravenstone, Leicestershire
I used to carry one but after a while realised I'd never used it in anger so I don't bother now. I've found a knife and a folding saw is all I really need. If I need some scissors to cut accurately then there are some in my housewife and anything else you can just manufacture something to get you by.
 
  • Like
Reactions: henchy3rd

gra_farmer

Full Member
Mar 29, 2016
1,800
1,019
Kent
Not for me, that looks like multi tools from the mid 90's....i am sure it is strong, but very strange looking
 

spader

Native
Dec 19, 2009
1,190
52
Scotland
I carry a Leatherman Surge in black. It saved me going to the shed and looking for the toolbox when I was in the middle of working on something in the loft and garden.
 
  • Like
Reactions: plastic-ninja

plastic-ninja

Full Member
Jan 11, 2011
2,228
260
cumbria
I always carry a Gerber Multitool ( think it's the Scout ) and do use it pretty frequently for work related stuff. The knife is good and the pliers are great but the best bit is one-handed opening for me. Ive used the hacksaw once & the file once or twice. Rarely use the drivers either. Pretty sure if I don't have it though i'll need it. Easier than carrying a knife.
 
  • Like
Reactions: spader

spader

Native
Dec 19, 2009
1,190
52
Scotland
Yes, in fact I have a couple of Gerber MT too. They are even easier to carry due to smaller size and lighter weight. They do the same job as the LM Surge.
 

GreyDog

Full Member
Mar 24, 2021
43
25
57
Holmfirth
For 300gms, I'd take it. On canoe trips (obviously weight isn't such a big issue) I always take my Gerber Legend. Never really used it but for the innumerable 'What if?' possibilities I'd always take it. Also take a Mora Companion (heavy duty, orange, stainless) and Laplander saw - they do get some use. The saw proved invaluable when large fallen tree blocked the way, bank to bank. I cut a passageway through with the laplander removing 3 x 5"-6" thick sections to make way through it. Bit precarious sawing while standing on the 'workpiece' in the middle of the river but saved us a big haul out and 300 yard portage with full 3 day camping kit on board. In normal life, I usually have my SAK Mountaineer (like Huntsman but with file in place of the saw) in my pocket which has everything I need. Also have a Leatherman Juice, which has a legal (non-locking) blade and a mini saw, that I used to carry but I never used the pliers outside the home and found them to be quite lacking in strength, especially if trying to hold and twist something, they seem to flex a lot and the wire cutters just splay the jaws on bigger harder wire - both bad for confidence! Also the handle shape really limits the knife's usefulness (ditto for the Gerber), so the SAK wins day to day. Just ordered a Farmer alox - can't really justify why with any logic but it was £22 on sale and curiosity/love of good kit/bargains got the better of me.
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
3,460
65
Exmoor
I've carried a Swiss army multi tool every time I go out. Never needed to use much more than the blade or occasionally the scissors or nail file on a snaggy nail. Why do I even bother?
I have my mora and lap lander, pots have handles, I always have gloves for hot pan handles..
I still like to have it even if I can't remember the last time I opened it up for use.!
 

Kadushu

If Carlsberg made grumpy people...
Jul 29, 2014
852
920
Kent
I don't like Leatherman style multitools. I carry a SAK on a cord around my neck every day and some curved needle nose pliers in my pack.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nigelp

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Can a big city become a jungle for a country mouse? I flew monthly on overnight business trips for 6+ years. Basic tool kit in my bathroom bag is a Leatherman Squirt. As the years went by, I was able to fix most any little thing I carried with the Squirt.

Bird hunting, I have a couple of other multi-tools somewhere in my day pack and shooting vest. Main function seems to be to put my Baikal shotguns back together when pieces fall off.

I ignore the weight, my thinking is that it's cheap insurance.
 

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE